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Best for families
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Slow scans compared to other options
Best for identity theft protection
Antivirus software providers offer more features, plans, and products than we can count. To test an entire package, you’ll likely have to pay for a year-long subscription. This approach is costly, inefficient, and time consuming. Ultimately, you might end up with a full-year subscription to a product you don't like.
The good news? We already did all the research for you. We picked Bitdefender, McAfee, and Norton for their features and generous free trial periods. They'll stop malware, protect you from online scams, and keep your sensitive data private. Most importantly, you can test them extensively without breaking the bank.
Keep reading to learn why we chose these services as our best antivirus trial downloads.
Bitdefender, McAfee, and Norton offer top-level protection and substantial free trials. With its Family Pack and advanced parental controls, Bitdefender is ideal for families. McAfee is best for individual users since its most affordable plans cover only one adult. Norton offers the highest identity theft insurance and helps you recover from a successful attack.
| Antivirus |  |
 |
 |
| Starting price | $24.99/yr (first year only) | $39.99/first 2 yrs | $29.99/first yr |
| Free version | |||
| Free trial | Yes — 30 days | Yes — 30 days | Yes — 7 days |
| Money-back guarantee | Yes — 30 days | Yes — 30 days | Yes — 60 days |
| Features | Phishing protection, a VPN, a firewall, network protection, activity modes, anti-tracking, Wi-Fi Security Advisor, social media protection, webcam and microphone protection, spam filters, parental controls, device optimization tools, and more | Identity theft protection, password manager, privacy suite, a VPN, parental controls, file shredder, web protection, a firewall, personalized security assessments, and more | Cloud backup, password manager, a VPN, dark web monitoring, privacy monitor, parental controls, LifeLock identity theft protection, and more |
| Learn more | Get Bitdefender | Get McAfee | Get Norton |
Super reliable antivirus software with a non-intrusive free version
Simple yet powerful interface tools
Perfect protection score in third-party tests
Bitdefender is ideal if you're looking for a family-centric service. One subscription can protect all the devices in your household against computer viruses and other threats. It can also filter inappropriate content and optimize your children's gaming and streaming. It can also protect them on social media and limit their screen time.
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Bitdefender includes many valuable features: the Family Pack can cover up to 15 devices. With its intuitive controls, you can quickly identify threats and boost your online security. Bitdefender is ideal for families because each member can fully customize their own experience.
We like the integrated extras, like gaming mode: It ensures distraction-free gaming and focuses system resources on your games. We’re also big fans of Bitdefender’s parental controls. Features like location tracking and contact monitoring let you give your children independence while ensuring their safety.
Many of Bitdefender's features are not available on iOS. If you want to secure your iPhone, we recommend using the 30-day free trial to test the service and see if it works for you.
| Price range | $24.99/yr (first year only) |
| Free version | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes — 30 days |
| Money-back guarantee | Yes — 30 days |
| Phishing protection | Yes |
| Ransomware protection | Yes |
| Webcam protection | Yes |
| Network protection | Yes |
| Parental controls | Yes |
| Extras | VPN, firewall, activity modes (game/work/movie), anti-tracking, Wi-Fi Security Advisor, social media protection, spam filters, device optimization tools, and more |
| Learn more | Get Bitdefender
Read Bitdefender Review |
Premium antivirus, scam, and web protection, plus a VPN, identity monitoring, and secure password manager
Added peace of mind with 24/7 expert online support and McAfee’s Virus Protection Pledge
Compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and ChromeOS on up to 5 devices
We recommend McAfee if you're looking for antivirus protection and features that cater more to singles than families. It offers a personalized protection score and identity monitoring. This service is ideal if you want a bevy of security options without paying for a family plan.
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What we liked
We like McAfee's identity theft protection and security features. It can flag malicious websites and scams, detect phishing attempts, and even alert you if it finds your info on the dark web. The file shredder ensures anything you delete from your computer is completely gone. If you trade-in or sell a device, a file shredder guarantees no one can pull residual information from your hard drive.
The personalized protection score lets you evaluate your overall safety. McAfee’s virtual private network and firewall are also included in the trial and can add an extra layer of privacy and security.
McAfee offers a lot of plans and products, which can be confusing. Depending on your chosen options, it can also get quite expensive. In addition, its scam detection is overly sensitive and often flags harmless messages.
| Price range | $39.99/first 2 yrs |
| Free version | No |
| Free trial | Yes — 30 days |
| Money-back guarantee | Yes — 30 days |
| Phishing protection | Yes |
| Ransomware protection | Yes |
| Webcam protection | No |
| Network protection | No |
| Parental controls | Yes |
| Extras | Identity theft protection, password manager, privacy suite, a VPN, parental controls, file shredder, web protection, a firewall, personalized security assessments, and more |
| Learn more | Get McAfee
Read McAfee Review |
4 plans available, all including antivirus, malware, ransomware, and hacking protection, Cloud backup, and a secure password manager
Option to add VPN connection, dark web monitoring, privacy monitoring, and more
Compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS on up to 10 devices depending on plan
We recommend Norton if you're concerned about identity theft but also want solid online security. Norton includes LifeLock, a separate identity theft protection package. It's the best option on the market with the highest identity theft insurance.
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Norton offers up to $3 million in identity theft coverage. Along with its white-glove remediation specialists, it provides the resources to restore your identity and prevent future theft. In other words, Norton can protect you from identity thieves or help you recover as quickly as possible. You can get these options by purchasing one of the Norton + LifeLock plans.
Some of the valuable extras include Norton’s VPN, a dark web monitor, and even cloud storage. The encrypted storage keeps sensitive files hidden and off your hard drive. Combine all of that with Norton’s LifeLock for identity theft protection, and you have an impressively powerful security suite.
It’s not the most budget-friendly option for individuals or families. While the Norton 360 plans do include a lot, they’re also costly. Renewal pricing is also higher than first-year pricing, which doesn’t make sense to us.
| Price range | $29.99/first yr |
| Free version | No |
| Free trial | Yes — 7 days |
| Money-back guarantee | Yes — 60 days |
| Phishing protection | No |
| Ransomware protection | Yes |
| Webcam protection | Yes |
| Network protection | No |
| Parental controls | Yes |
| Extras | Cloud backup, password manager, a VPN, dark web monitoring, privacy monitor, LifeLock identity theft protection, and more |
| Learn more | Get Norton
Read Norton Review |
If our top antivirus suggestions aren’t what you’re looking for, try one of these vetted and tested alternatives:
You can get an antivirus free trial from most of the popular providers. We suggest checking out Bitdefender, McAfee, and Norton antivirus They’re some of the best antivirus security services that can protect all your devices. What you’ll want to look for is a free trial that lets you test out the product in its entirety rather than only being able to test limited features. You won’t know if you like the antivirus product unless you can test everything.
Yes, Norton has a 7-day free trial. You’ll be required to put down a credit card or other payment option. If you don’t love Norton, you’ll need to cancel before the trial is up to make sure you aren’t charged. We like signing up for the trial and then immediately canceling so we don’t forget. Most companies will let you continue through the trial, but make sure that’s the case so you get the full trial time.
Yes, the McAfee free trial is safe to use. McAfee offers a generous 30-day trial period, so you can really test out the software. McAfee even allows you to install the trial on up to five devices. We definitely recommend taking advantage of the trial before purchasing.
We always recommend testing an antivirus program thoroughly before buying a subscription. That's where trial periods come in: you need services that let you test their products without any limitations for 30+ days. We think Bitdefender, McAfee, and Norton are all top-quality products that offer generous trial periods. They can protect you and your family from online threats while allowing you to make an informed decision after in-depth testing.
| Starting price | Best for | Learn more | |
|
$24.99/yr (first year only) | Best for families | Get Bitdefender
Read Bitdefender Review |
|
$39.99/first 2 yrs | Best for individuals | Get McAfee
Read McAfee Review |
|
$29.99/first yr | Best for identity theft protection | Get Norton
Read Norton Review |
We wanted to make sure the options we recommended included top-rated antivirus products we’d tested ourselves. Bitdefender, McAfee, and Norton, as well as also our honorable mentions, are all rated highly by independent third-party tests and include features that set them apart from the lighter antivirus products on the market. Here are the factors we kept in mind while compiling this guide:
Super reliable antivirus software with a non-intrusive free version
Simple yet powerful interface tools
Perfect protection score in third-party tests
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